Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Plancius (ex. Ushuaia)

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South Georgia is called an Antarctic oasis because of the huge numbers of penguins and seals that breed here. This expedition on board the MV Plancius will take your breath away due the stunning scenery and massive amounts of wildlife surrounding you. Check out the Falkland Islands and the sheer beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula on this trip of a lifetime!

Overview
Itinerary
Dates
Accommodation
Inclusions

Itinerary Highlights
- Meet thousands of King Penguins at South Georgia
- Pay your respects at Shackleton's grave
- Visit the stunning Antarctic Peninsula
- Cruise on one of the best value boats operating in Antarctica.
Example Itinerary- 20 days
- Day 1: Embark in Ushuaia
- Day 2: At sea
- Day 3: Falkland Islands
- Day 4: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
- Day 5-6: At Sea
- Day 7-10: South Georgia
- Day 11: At Sea
- Day 12: South Orkney Islands
- Day 13: At Sea
- Day 14-17: Antarctic Peninsula
- Day 18-19: At Sea
- Day 20: Disembark in Ushuaia
*This cruise also operates on a 19-day itinerary. For more information, please visit our Dates tab.
Day 1: Departure from Ushuaia

In the afternoon, we embark in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world located at the Beagle Channel and sail through this scenic waterway for the rest of the evening.

Day 2: At Sea
In the Westerlies the ship is followed by several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.

Day 3: Falkland Islands
In the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) we plan to spend the whole day on the fascinating western side of the archipelago. A hike along the Shore of Carcass Island will give us views of Magellanic and Gentoo-Penguins, as well as close encounters with water fowl and Night herons and passerines. In addition, on Saunders we will be able to observe four species of breeding penguins (Gentoo, King, Magellanic and Rockhopper), Black-browed Albatrosses and King Cormorants.

Day 4: Stanley, Falkland Islands
In Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, we can experience Falkland culture, which has some South American characteristics as well as Victorian charm. In Stanley and the surrounding area we can see quite an important number of stranded clippers from a century ago. All passengers are free to wander around on their own. We recommend a visit to the local church and museum (admission fees not included).

Day 5 - 6: At Sea

On our way to South Georgia we will cross the Antarctic Convergence. Entering Antarctic waters, the temperature will drop by as much as 10 degrees C in the time span of only a few hours. Near the Convergence we will see a multitude of southern seabirds near the ship; several species of Albatrosses, Shearwaters, Petrels, Prions and Skuas.

Day 7 - 10: South Georgia
In the afternoon of day 7 we arrive at our first landing site in South Georgia. We might visit the bay of Elsehul, with its very active fur seal breeding beach, and then set course to Right Whale Bay, Salisbury Plain, Godthul, St. Andrews Bay, Gold Harbour, Cooper Bay and Drygalski Fjord to give you a good opportunity to see a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife, like the introduced Reindeer, Elephant seals, Fur seals, King and Macaroni Penguins.

One of the highlights might be our visit to Prion Island, where we will witness the breeding efforts of the huge Wandering Albatross and enjoy watching their displays. At Fortuna Bay, we might try to follow in the footsteps of the great British Explorer Ernest Shackleton and hike over to Stømness Bay. There and at Grytviken we’ll see an abandoned whaling village, where King Penguins now walk in the streets and seals have taken over the buildings. At Grytviken we’ll also offer a visit to the Whaling History Museum as well as to Shackleton´s grave near by. We will depart from South Georgia in the afternoon of day 10.
Day 11: At Sea

Where the ship is again followed by a multitude of seabirds. At some point we might encounter sea-ice, and it is at the ice-edge where we might have a chance to see some high-Antarctic species like the McCormick Skua and Snow Petrel.

Day 12: South Orkney Islands
We are planning on a visit to Orcadas station, an Argentinean base located in the South Orkney Islands. The friendly base personnel will show us their facilities and we can enjoy the wonderful views of the surrounding glaciers. Alternatively we may attempt a landing in Shingle Cove on Signy Island.

Day 13: At Sea
We will pass large icebergs and have a good chance of Fin whales on the way south. Also we have the best chances on the trip to see Antarctic Petrels around the ship

Days 14 – 17: Antarctic Peninsula

If the ice permits, we will sail into the Weddell Sea through the ice-clogged Antarctic Sound. Huge tabular icebergs will announce our arrival to the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula. We plan to visit Brown Bluff where we may set foot on the Continent. In good sailing conditions we may decide to extend our time in the Weddell Sea.

The volcanic islands of the South Shetlands are windswept and often shrouded in mist, but do offer subtle pleasures. There is a nice variety of flora (mosses, lichens and flowering grasses) and fauna, such as Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins and Southern Giant Petrels. On Half Moon Island we will find Chinstrap Penguins and Weddell Seals often haul out on the beach near the Argentinean station Camara.

The 20 Day voyage opens the opportunity to sail further down the western Antarctic Peninsula. In Neko Harbour or Paradise Bay we will have the opportunity to set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a magnificent landscape of huge glaciers calving at sea level. We enjoy the landscape surrounded by alpine peaks. In this area we have good chances to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.

After sailing through the Neumayer Channel, we hope to get a chance to visit the old British research station, now living museum and post office at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island. Close to Port Lockroy we may also offer a landing on Jougla Point with Gentoo Penguins and Blue-eyed Shags. In the early hours of our last landing day we hope to land at Cuverville Island with the several thousand Gentoo penguins in the largest Gentoo rookery of the Antarctic Peninsula. We depart to the Drake Passage around noon of day 17 through the Melchior Islands.

Day 18 – 19: At Sea

On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing the Drake Passage.

Day 20: Ushuaia

We arrive in the morning in Ushuaia and disembark.
Departs - Selected dates (listed below)
Ship Cabins: M/V Plancius
Quad Cabin
- 1 Porthole
- 2 upper & lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone and Internet connection
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Triple Cabin
- 1 porthole
- Upper berth & 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone and Internet connection
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Twin Porthole Cabin
- 1 porthole
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone and Internet connection
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
Twin Window Cabin
- 1 window
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone and Internet connection
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
Twin Deluxe Cabin
- 2 windows
- 2 lower berths
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone and Internet connection
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
- These cabins are corner cabins and are slightly more spacious than the normal twin porthole/window cabins
Superior Cabin
- 2 windows
- 1 double bed
- 1 sofa bed
- Private shower & toilet
- Desk & chair
- Flatscreen TV
- Telephone and Internet connection
- Refrigerator
- Coffee & tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Ample storage space
DECK PLAN: MV PLANCIUS

Ship Specifications

Passengers:    116 in 53 cabins
Staff & crew:    47
Length:    89 meters (293 feet)
Breadth:    14,5 meters (47 feet)
Draft:    5 meters (16 feet)
Ice class:    1D (Plancius has a Lloyds class notation 100A1 Passenger ship, Ice Class 1D at a draught of 5 meters)
Displacement:    3211 tonnes
Propulsion:    3x Diesel-Electric
Speed:    10.5 knots average cruising speed
What's included?
- On-board accommodation
- Port taxes
- Activities/shore excursions as specified
- Lectures and presentations by expedition leaders and naturalist staff
- Transfers and luggage handling
- Waterproof boots on loan
- All meals during the voyage
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included